Peanut-clipper.



-C. S. MCARDLE.

PEANUT CLIPPER.

APPucATloN min JUNE 29. |918.

Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

CORNELIUS :S., MQARDLE, OF DOTHAN, ALABAMA.

.rEANUT-CLIPPER.

" y, Spelcication of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 19, 19118,.

Apjpueatioa mediate 2e, 191s. serial No. 242,572.

T0 all whom it may concern: v -v Be it known that I, CoRNnLrus S. Mo- ARDLE, a citizen of the United` States, residing at Dothan, in the county of Houston and State of Alabama, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Peanut- Clippers; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention, such as will enablev others skilled in the art to which itv appertains to make and ,use the same.

This invention relates to peanuty clippers and contemplates more especially an improved device for cutting the peanuts from the vines in the soil, whereby their extraction therefrom is renderedrelatively easy.

The invention has for an `object the production of a plow-like clipper adapted to enter the soil, pass beneath and sever the roots bearing` the product.. from the lower roots or nodules which latter are preferably left in the ground for fertilizing purposes.

Another object of the invention is to produce a plow-like clipper comprising an attaching shank and relatively narrow cutting blade arranged at an angle to the shank, the said blade being adapted to be drawn through the ground in a substantially horizontal plane for frictionally side shearing the roots.

A further object of this invention resides in the production of a peanut clipping plow formed with an attaching shank having a relatively bent point for entering the ground, and a rearwardly diverging cutting blade gradually curved away from said point and slightly twisted at its outer end, whereby movement through the ground tends to sharpen and keep the blade in cutting condition.

With these and other objects in view the invention further consists in the formation and arrangement of the clipper hereinafter particularly described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts,

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved clipping device shown attached to the standard of a plow. t

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the clipping plow detached from the plow standard.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. l is an end view.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional View through the cutting blade on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2,

illustrating the beveled cutting edge and diagrammatically its operation lkupon the f roots of the plant in the soil, andy 6 is a similar view on the line6-6 of Fig. 2 near the outer end oftheV cutting blade showing the slight twist imparted to the blade and its relative position inthe ground when operating upon the roots of the plant. i

The present invention `has been primarily designed to facilitate theha-rvestingof peanuts. .Peanuts grow almost four inches beneath the surface of the ground on vine like roots. ing the fruit or product extend downwardly into vthe ground for a considerable depth.`

The clipping plow operates between the product and the lower roots, cutting the vines', and loosening the 'soil so that the peanuts can be readily removed from the earth.

The precision with which my improved clipper must operate at this approximately mean depth is obvious, and to thatA end it comprises a shank l from which diverges arelatively thin and narrow cutting blade 2 of wedge shape on cross-section. The shank of the clipper is suitably secured to the standard 3 of an ordinary plow by means of bolts l arranged in counter-sunk openings 5 provided in the shank 1.

Formed on the lowerinost portion of the shank is a curved point 6 which is designed to enter and loosen the ground, and direct the clipper against the roots of the plant. The wedge shaped cutting blade 2 is formed integrally with the shank l and slightly curves away from the point 6 as indicated at 7, terminating in a relatively long sweep `having a straight knife or cutting edge 8.

The degree of the angle of the cutting blade is computed so that as the clipper is moved kthrough the ground the roots are gradually These roots in addition to bearmaaar@ The cutting blade 2 and more particularly 'the knife edge 8, is given a dip at the point 6 thereof, and a slight twist is also imparted to the outer end of the cutting blade (see Figs. 3 and 6). This twist is indicated at 9 and in addition to facilita-ting the shearing out given the roots, also acts to guide the cutting blade in the ground whereby the passage ci' the earth thereon tends to keep the knife edge in sharpened or cutting con dition.

ln operation, the clipping plow is drawn 'through the ground, the point 6 ist enten `ing the soil and edectiyely loosening the earth. As the plow advances the roots are caught by the sharp point 6 and directed against the curved cutting portion T which surface begins the cutting or shearing action just prior to the advancing of the long narrow sweep or cutting edge 8 which latter completes the severing operation. The cutting blade mores through the soil in substantially a iiat position. The clipping plow is attached at a suitable angle to the standard of a plow which may be drawn and guided in the usual manner.

Frein the foregoing it will be obvious that l have produced an eiiicient., light, durable Gopes of and easily manipulated clipper and one capable of being cheaply manufactured.

l claim:

l. A clipping plow of the class described comprising an attaching shank and an integrally formed rearwardly diverging narrow cutting blade of wedge shape in cross section, said blade having a knife edge beginning in a curve from the point of the plow and terminating in a straight cutting edge for passing through the ground in a substantially horizontal plane.

2. i clipping plow of the class described comprising an attaching shank and a rearwardly diyerging narrow cutting blade of wedge shape in cross section, Said blade haying a knife edge curved inwardly from the point of the plow and terminating in a straight cutting edge the outer end of which is slightly twisted.

ln testimony whereof l aii'ix my signature, in presence of the subscribing witnesses.

GRNELlUS S. 1;? MCARDLE.'

mark llitnesses C. WILLIAMS, L. A. FARMER, P el. Malerin,

this patent may be obtained tor five cents each, by addressing; the "ommissioner ci 'Eatenta "Washington, EN 

